This week I’ve been in Bloomington, IN. I’m attending the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) Education Institute’s program known as Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI).
I’m in the second row in the middle — behind the guy in the western hat.
CAI is a three-year program, so I won’t graduate until 2011. My colleagues include ~66 auctioneers of all specialties.
The Education Institute describes CAI as being “designed for leaders in the industry.” It’s an “executive development program focused on developing skills and providing tools.”
Most of us just refer to it as The Auctioneer’s MBA.
Have you ever made a decision (business or personal) which was difficult in the short term, but necessary for your long-term growth and development? For me, attending CAI was one of those decisions. By the time I signed up for CAI, I’d already committed to two other pricey training programs for 2009. The idea of adding a third program seemed a bit of a leap, both financially and from a time perspective.
Yet I also believe that with the recession, this is NOT a time to shrink back. This is the time to boldly step-up in my business, so I can better assist you and consequently, grow.
When I learn new ideas, concepts, and more effective ways of running my business, you benefit, also.
Consequently, I left my Virginia benefit auction clients and traveled to Indiana in March, even though this is the busy season for auctions. (I’ve got other team members working those auctions this year.)
P.S. I was excited to be one of three auctioneers in our class to be awarded the full-tuition (for Year #1) Larry McCool Scholarship to attend CAI.
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